Speeches by Glover.

“My hon. Friend makes a good point about what the Climate Change Committee has said. That is why I hope the Government will consider these Liberal Democrat amendments, which are intended to strengthen the Bill, so that its provisions become reality this time, and contrast with the many missed targets in the past on sust…”

“Global demand for aviation continues to grow; it is projected to be two or three times bigger by 2050. In 2024, there was a record rate of increase in carbon emissions, according to the World Meteorological Organisation, and there was a new daily record for global aviation emissions in July 2025. Nearly half of all the…”

“Given what the hon. Gentleman says about the decision to sell off the stake in Eurostar, does he feel that his own party—now very much in government—should reverse it and directly invest in international rail services?”

“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Sir Desmond. I commend the hon. Member for Hastings and Rye (Helena Dollimore) for securing this important debate. She, along with nearly everybody in the room, rightly made clear the pride they take in Kent and East Sussex. She rightly highlighted the channel tunnel as a…”

“I thank the hon. Lady for her intervention. That was a time of very straitened Government finances, which is something the current Government, of her own party, also have to grapple with, and make unexpected and regrettable decisions—for example, significant national insurance contribution increases for employers. Both…”

“What has changed since the 2012 version in relation to achieving those aims?”

“Minister, this is clearly not the only national policy statement that has had recent changes; the ones for energy, water and national networks have too. How does the revised NPS for ports take account of the changes to other NPSs?”

“It is reassuring to know that Departments talk to each other. Clearly, we can have a nice, big, shiny port, but the key thing about ports is being able to get stuff in and out by rail or road. In that context, do you feel that the revised ports NPS addresses the risk that the growth in port traffic or use could be cons…”

“I have a follow-up question that is perhaps slightly mischievous. It has been noted that, following the reshuffle, there has been a reduction in the total number of Ministers in the Department for Transport. Given some of the complexities you have just outlined, do you think there are any valid concerns about that?”

“How does the revised national policy statement demonstrate alignment with the Government’s decarbonisation commitments?”

“Some of the evidence we have received suggests that some stakeholders feel that the revised NPS does not articulate sufficiently clearly how it supports the meeting of our carbon targets, including by supporting ports’ readiness to help shipping to decarbonise. Would you agree with that? If so, what more could have bee…”

“Good. I think people will be pleased to hear that. A general challenge with regulation is the need to regulate today versus the future need to regulate things that may or may not exist yet. How will the ports NPS balance regulatory certainty today with the need for flexibility to support the deployment of technologies …”

“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Sir Desmond, and I welcome the Minister to her place. The Liberal Democrats do not intend to divide the Committee either. Along with the Opposition spokesperson, we welcome the seriousness with which the Government are taking the matter and their positive steps to deal wi…”

“It is all about forward planning, isn’t it? Do you have anything to add, Cathy or Robbie?”

“That is pretty clear. Would you say it is similar for the need for carbon capture and storage and sustainable aviation fuel development? Would you say similarly that that is not an NPS thing and it should be in other areas?”

“That’s true.”

“On a recent Industry and Parliament Trust visit to Dover, a couple of us heard about challenges in some of its forward plans for wanting to decarbonise shipping across the short straits of the English channel. Because it is such a short route, it presents a fairly unusual opportunity, potentially. They told us that, fo…”

“I understand that. Does this not perhaps speak to some of the points that we made earlier about how Government do or do not co-ordinate all the various ingredients to make an effective maritime cake?”

“Robbie, do you have any thoughts to add to those of your colleagues?”

“Sticking with that theme, the Government feel that the general direction of policy in the NPS remains the same but there is a greater emphasis on growth and clean energy. Do you all agree with that? If you do, what are the implications for the sector?”